What’s Happening in Shul These Days?

Well, this past Shabbat evening featured a tasty dinner! Shlepping down from Americus — Laurel and two wonderful students. We ushered out Shabbat with a havdallah and a
thought-provoking film, Golda. Those events unfolded for me as a yeshiva lad in 9th grade. Seen through a post-October 7 lens, those events are so hauntingly relevant fifty years
later.

This coming Shabbat (I’m writing these words as January closes) we’ll chant the Ten Commandments. What do those words mean to us today, now? What is the meaning of our covenant with God? Fast forward a bit to a wonderful B’not Mitzvah Shabbat as Angie, Sylvia and Rivka will all come to the Torah and celebrate this milestone! The Super-bowl! Yay! Wonderful fundraiser and overall fun day!

Daybreak’s sleep-out is on the last night of February. I’m raising money for them — closing in on a $2000 goal. On that subject, would you like a bottle of Rabbi Aaron’s Hot Sauce? Good for whatever ails you! Lemme know. You all know how important Daybreak’s work has been for this city. Excellent local mitzvah opportunity. Quick shout-out to Shul leadership and volunteers that help out regularly at Daybreak, yasher koach!

Choir and Hebrew schoolers are learning the bits that will be a Mel Brooks Purim (March23-24). We are blessed with joyous moments, opportunities to celebrate and express gratitude for the blessings in our lives. What else to tell?

Israel. Where to begin? Her people need our assistance: pray for Israel when you can. Do you want to contribute and assist in other ways? There are so many. Products you can buy. Assistance that could go to farms. You probably know this: American Jews are going to Israel – a week, sometimes longer. Helping on farms. Going to a shiva minyan. Meeting people. Doing tikun olam. So many hearts to mend and ways to make a difference. True confession: I don’t know when, but I know I have to go there sometime soon. I have to help; I urgently need to recharge my own Israel batteries. Bottom line — many gestures large and small that can make a difference.

Shalom.